Record player with inclined turntable



Nov. 22, 1949 s. F. LOUCHHEIM 2,489,146

RECORD PLAYER WITH INCLINED TURNTABLE Filed July 19, 1946 5 Shets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. STL/HE r F. 1 Ol/CHHf/M BY W 22, 1949 s. F. LOUCHHEIM RECORD PLAYER WITH INCLINED TURNTABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 19, 1946 R m m w.

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Srumer E ZoucHHs/M 1949 s. F. LOUCHHEIM 2,489,146

RECORD PLAYER WITH INCLINED TURNTABLE Filed July 19, 1946 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 V I/Il/l/I/ l/II/l-I/ I IlIII/l/I/II I INVENTOR. Srumzr E Loam/45m 1949 s. F. LOUCHHEIM 2, 89,

RECORD PLAYER WITH INCLINED TURNTABLE Filed July 19, 1946 FIG. 7

5 Shets-$heet 5 VLLf I [ll Ill/Ill Ill/ I I I III I l ll 30 I// 16/ I II II I l/ l' ai in 1/17/11! III'IIIIIIIII IIIIl/Il/ I N VEN TOR.

STU/var E LOUCHHF/M MiM Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECORD PLAYER WITH INCLINED TURNTABLE Application July 19, 1946, Serial No. 684,922

Claims.

The present invention relates to sound-producing instruments and it relates more particularly to electric phonographs or record-players or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful construction for sound-producing devices, phonographs, record-players and the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical record-player or the like which gives accurate and faithful reproduction, with a minimum of wear upon the records.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical record-player wherein the conventional fiat disc-type records are disposed in generally vertical, slightly inclined position during play. A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical record-player having new and improved construction whereby the turntable motor is shut off automatically when the play is completed and whereby the motor is turned on automatically when the pickup arm is moved to position to play either -inch or l2-inch records.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable electric record-player or the like wherein conventional disc-type records are played in a generally upright manner whereby the pickup arm rests with only a minimum of weight upon the record so as to reduce record wear.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electric record-player or the like which is adapted to be carried by means of a handle on top and which is adapted to be used, during the playing of records, in generally the same upright position wherein it is carried.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention as it appears with the lid closed.

Figure 2 represents a fragmentary perspective View, on an enlarged scale, of the embodiment of Figure l but showing the lid open.

Figure 3 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 represents a vertical cross-sectional view generally along the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 represents a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the automatic On-Off switch mechanism forming part of the embodiment of Figures 1-4.

Figure 6 represents a view looking generally along the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure '7 represents a view generally similar to that of Figure 4 but showing another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 represents an enlarged view of the cam-and-microswitch arrangement of Figure '7.

Figure 9 represents a fragmentary rear perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 1, I may provide a portable electric record-player or the like including a case or housing 20 having an upper lid or cover 2| hinged to the case 20 as at 2 2 and adapted to be locked in closed position by a snap-lock or clasp 23.

The case 20 may have a generally upwardly tapered contour. For example, the front-to-rear dimension at the bottom of the case may be of the order of 8 inches while that at the top of the case may be of the order of 7 inches. By way of further example, the transverse dimension of the case may be 14 inches while its height may be approximately 13 inches.

A carrying handle 24 is provided upon the top of the case 20; the handle 24 being hingedly connected to the case 20 or being adapted to recede within the case 20 (for example, by having its vertical end portions extend downward into the case) or being otherwise fastened so as not to interfere with the opening of the lid 2 I.

An opening 25 may be provided in the front wall of the case 20; a speaker grille 26 being mounted within the opening 25.

As shown particularly in Figure 2, a control panel 21 is mounted within the case or housing 20 adjacent the upper end thereof; the panel 21 sloping slightly upwardly from front to back.

Suitable controls are provided on the panel 21; as, for example, a volume control knob 28 and a tone control knob 29.

The panel 21 is provided with an elongated generally transversely extending slot, indicated generally by the reference character 30.

An operating handle 3|, to be described in detail hereinbelow, protrudes upwardly through the slot at from Within the case 23.

As shown particularly in Figure 3, a partition wall 32 is disposed within the case 26, beneath the panel 21; the partition wall being tapered slightly rearwardly frombottom to top. For example, the partition wall 32 maybe disposed at an angle of 70 degrees from the horizontal.

The partition Wall 32 separates the inside of the case or housing 26 into a front-compartment 33 and a back compartment 34; the front compartment tapering from top to bottom and the rear compartment tapering frombottom to top, as indicated in Figure 3.

A loud speaker 35 is mounted within the front compartment 33; the speaker 35 beingv provided? with a peripheral bafi'ie panel 36 which is adapteda to be removably fastened. to the front wall of the case 20 so that the speaker 35 is directly behind the grille 26.

A turntable 31 is. mounted upon the Wall 32, within the front compartment 33. The turntable 3Tmay'be at generally the same angle as the partition. wall' 32. That is, the turntable may be inclinedTearwardlyat an angle of approximately 70 degrees from the horizontal;

' A constant-speed-m'otor-3 Bis mounted upon the opposite side of the partition wall 32 within the back" compartment 34'; the motor 33 being adapted to drive the turntable 31 througha conventional speed red-uction drive (not shown) and aconventional friction d'rive wheel 39 which is spring-pressed againsifthe inner periphery of the flangeMlof'theturntable31.

Mounted at the bottom of the back compartment 34" is a conventional electronic amplifying unit M which is adaptedto receive and amplify the impulses-from the tone-arm (to be hereinafter'described') andto' transmit the so-amplified impulses to the speaker 35 in generally-conven tional manner:

A tone or pick-up'arm 42'havinga generally conventional crystal pick-up cartridge (not shown) and a needle 43mounted at its free end; ispivotally mountedupon a base 44 which passes through and isfastened-to' the partition wall 32- somewhat below and off'to'theside of the turntable 37'.

Inaddition-to-pivoting uponthe' axis 45, the tone arm istiltablymounted so-that it isfree to swing toward and away from the'turntable 31 about the axis 45 As indicated particularly inFigure 3 g the tonearm 42 generally parallels the turntable 3'!- (the fl'ee end-of the-tone-a-rm being-above and slightly to the-rear ofitsother end); the force of gravity tending to-urge the free end'of the tone-arm 42- towardtheturntable?! with only-a slight force (due to the fact that the-tone-arm 42 is inclined only slightly from the vertical).

In order to augment the force of gravity, a coilspring 41 may be connected intermediate the bottom end of thetone-arm 42 and a lug 48; the spring 41 tending to urge the free end" of'the tone-arm 42 in the direction of" the turntablets, as indicated particularly'in' Figure 3'.

A shaft:.49' extends-throughthe base 44 and is adapted to rotate with the tone-arm 421 Asihdicatedi particularly in Figures 4 and 5, apair; ofmercury switches 5 and I are mounted upon the protruding portion of the-shaft 45.

The mercury: switches 50and' 5 l are oppositely inclinedtirelative to: each other and" are connected: in series within: theipowerr circuitfor. the motor.

l the back compartment 34 to provide for extension and.automaticspring-actuated retraction of the cord 52.

As shown particularly in Figures 3 and 6, the operating handle 31' is fastened rigidly to the freeendof the tone-arm 42 and extends generally upward therefrom and, as stated above, protrudes through the'slot; 30-.

It. is obvious, therefore, that if the protruding portion of the operating handle 3| is manually moved from side. toside relative to the slot 30, the tone-arm 42 will. also be correspondingly moi/ed. It isalso apparentthat, if theprotruding portion of theoperating handle 3l-ismoved from? the front edge to the rear edge of the slot 30, the" tone-arm 42 and'its needle 43 will be movedtowardthe turntable 31and viceversa".

The. slot 30 includes: back wall 54 which is; slightly, more than. 12*inohes in length so as to: permit the insertion. of 12-inch or'10=inch' records through saidslot. The" back Wall 54 is generally plane except for a central" cut-out portion. 55" which permits the" fingers of the hand of the user to be inserted as" an aid ininsertingand removing records.

The back wall 54 may be'formed at generally the same angle as. the'turntable 31, as shown particularly in Figure 3, so as to" aid in" guiding, the recordinto proper position upon. the turntable, as will be more fully describedhereinbelow;

The front of the. slot 30 is formed-asa series of step..-like wallsnwhich serve to. guide the operating handle 3|"in a manner to' be hereinafter described.

Thus, the front of the left hand end" of the slot30' is" formed as'a short generally transversewall 56. A shoulder 51 extends rearwardly generally atright anglesfrom the wall 561 and terminatesina second transverse. wall 58. A second. shoulder 59 extends rearwardly generally at right. angles. from. theother end. of the. wallv 58 and terminates. in a. long transverse. Wall. 60. which. extendst'o the. righthandendof the slot 30.

The first. shoulder. 51. is so positioned relative. to: the. turntable 31. that, when the operating. handle3l is.in..contact.with.it, theneedle is in positionrto-engage:the. peripheral-starting edge of a.12+inch.1:ecord.. The-secondshoulder 59 is; one. inch to therrighthof. thev first; shoulder. 51-, so. that, when the operating handle 3| is against. theshoulder'59 ,the-.- needle 43. is in: position to engage the peripheral starting. edgeof a:- 1.0-inch record.

Assuming. that. arecord: R has been. inserted: through the?S10.tv3a'- so that: its. center holefits. over the: spindle: El 5 ofthe turntable 1,.it is apparent: that iftheoperating handle3l is moved' to. the" right. from its extreme left: hand rest position shown: iniFigurei Zita: the" first shoulder; 5:1. azidiif the handle-251st thenmoved'to the rear along:and.beyond'theshoulder. 5.7-; the needle 43* will engage the starting edge of atl2-inch'rec 0rd:

If,.ins-tead; the record'is:a 10-inch one; it'is apparent that a movementn of themperating ham die 3|, first to the right along the wall 56, then rearward along the shoulder 51, then to theright along the wall 58 and finally rearward along and beyond the shoulder 59 will cause the needle 43 to engage the starting edge of the -inch record.

In either case, the force of gravity and the spring 4! will maintain the tone-arm in the record-engaging position shown in Figure 3; the tone-arm moving on a generally vertical, slightly inclined arc during the playing of the record.

a When the playing of the record has been completed, the operating handle 3| is moved forwardly until it strikes the transverse wall 60 (in which position, the needle 43 has been lifted from the record), whereupon the handle 3| is moved to the right along the walls 60, 59, 58, 51 and 56 to return it to its original or rest position.

In this rest position of the operating handle 3|, the tone-arm 42 is maintained in forward position (away from the turntable 31) by a forwardly-positioned transverse wall 62 formed at the left hand end of the back wall 54.

It is also possible to provide any suitable friction catch or lock to prevent accidental dislodgement of the operating handle from its extreme left hand rest position.

While it is possible to provide for manuallycontrolled starting and stopping of the motor 38, it is preferred to provide means for automatically starting the motor (so as to rotate the turntable 31 and the record R) automatically upon movement of the operating handle 3| either to the 12-inch starting position or to the 10-inch starting position and to provide means for automatically shutting off the motor .38 when the play of the record has been completed.

This automatic On-Off" mechanism includes the mercury switches 50 and 5| referred to hereinabove which are mounted upon the protruding portion of the shaft 39.

The series-connected mercury switches 50 and 5| are inclined slightly relative to each other, as shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5, and are so disposed that during the playing range of the tone-arm 42 (that is, the range from the starting position of a 12-inch record to just short of the end-of -p1ay position) both switches will be sufficiently nearly horizontal to close the circuits between their end-electrodes in a manner well known in the art so that the electrical circuit to the motor 38 will be closed and the motor energized.

' When, however, the tone-arm 42 is out of the normal playing range (that is, when it is either in the rest position or in the end-of-play position), one of the switches 50 and 5| will be tilted sufficiently from the horizontal to cause its mercury bead to shift so as to open the switch and to break the circuit to motor 38.

i That is, when the tone-arm is in the rest position, the mercury switch 50 is tilted sufficiently to cause it to open so as to break the circuit to the motor 38. When, on the other hand, the tone-arm is in the end-of-play position, the other switch 5| is tilted sufficiently to open and to break the circuit to the motor 38.

It is apparent, therefore, that when the operating handle is in its left hand rest position, the motor 38 is stopped due to the fact that the switch 5|] is open. When the handle 3| is moved to the first shoulder 51, the switch 50 is closed and the motor is started to begin rotation of the turntable 31. This same closing of the switch 50 occurs when the handle 3| is moved to the second shoulder 59, in the case of a 10-inch record.

During the play of the 10-inch or 12-inch record, both switches 50 and 5| remain closed so that the motor continues in operation. When, however, the end-of-play position is reached, the switch 5| is opened to stop the motor.

Thus, the motor shuts oif automatically when the record is completed and thereby prevents injury to the record and to the needle due to continued operation after the reocrd has been played.

When the handle 3| is manually lifted at its end-of-play position and the handle 3| is manually moved to the left to its initial restposition, the motor 38 is momentarily re-energized as both switches 50 and 5| are closed. This momentary re-energizing does not interfere with the resetting of the tone-arm, since during this operation, the needle 43 is raised free from the record R. 1

When the tone-arm 3| reaches its left hand rest position, the switch 50 is again opened so as again automatically to stop the motor 38.

As is evident from Figures 4 and 6-, the tonearm extends more nearly vertically (in the plane of its playing-arc) when it is at the start-ofplay position than when it is in the end-of-play position. Thus, as the play of a record progresses, there is a progressive increase in the gravitational effect upon the tone-arm, tending to urge the tone-arm downwardly and inwardly across the playing surface of the record.

' This tendency may, in some cases, become excessive as the playing arm approaches the endof -play position. That is, the gravitational effect upon the tone-arm, when the latter is near the end-of-play position, may become sufficiently great to cause the needle to jump out of the playing groove and thereby to permit the tonearm and the needle to move freely across the record so as to scratch the record and, perhaps, also to injure the needle and the tone-arm.

Moreover, should this gravitational effect become too great, there may be excessive wear upon that portion of the playing groove adjacent the" end-of-play position and, in addition, there may be distortion of the tone due to excessive and uneven pressure on the playing groove.

Thus, it may be preferred to provide the tonearm with spring-means adapted to exert a progressively greater pull upon the tone-arm so as to counteract the excessive gravitational effect at the end-of-play position.

As shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5, this spring-means may consist of a relatively weak coil spring Hi0 fastened at one end to the tonearm shaft 39 as at IM and anchored at its other end as at 102.

It is obvious that the spring I00 will exert little or no restraining force upon the tone-arm when the latter is adjacent its start-of-play position and that the. restraining force will thereafter gradually increase as the tone-arm moves along its playing arc. By suitably adjusting the strength and spring I50 it is possible to regulate the restraining force so as just to counteract the increased gravitational effect and thereby to eliminate the undesirable results referred to above.

In order to aid in inserting a record, the present invention includes means permitting the user to observe the position of the spindle 5| of the turn-- table 31 so that the center hole of the record can be aligned with the spindle.

Thus, as shown particularly in Figures 3 and 6, the panel 21 is provided with a transparent win- 2,489JAB' 7. 63. which 15150. placedxthat the. spindle. 61 is visible therethrough... In order. to aidin theobservationof the spindle and. to: indicate. the spindle's. positioneven when it is obscured: by the lower portion of. the record during insertion. of said record, the present invention. comprehends the inclusionof novel directionalv lighting means.

Thelighting means includesasocket 5.4.; which is fastened to the underside of the panel. 2:7; by abracket. 55. Within. the socket 6411s disposed a small electric light bulb 66 which isoperatively connected. tothe volume control knob.28 sothat itiisl turned on. and. oil simultaneously. with the, amplifying unit. 4 I

Extending: downward from the lower. end of the socket M isan elongated rod 61 formed of a material which is adaptedfor edge-lighting upon the principle of total interior reflection. Among the materials having, this. property of. conducting: light upon the principle of total interior refiectionare the synthetic plastics which are com.- m'ercially. available.

The ends of. the. rod 61 are polished so. that light from the bulb 6-1 enters the upper end of said. rodand: is: conducted internally therealong and emerges therefrom through. the lower end,

the form. of a beam which can readily beidentified through the window 63.

At least the lower portion of the rod. 51 is pointed toward the spindle. 6| so that the beam oflight. forms a visible continuation from the lower end of the rod 61. to the tip of the spindle 6.1.

While, in Figures. 31 and 6 the rodtl is shown as being straightthroughout, itis possible to pro.- vide one or more bends in saidrod, if this is de.-' sirable for better observation of the spindle 6] through, the window 63. That is, the materials which are capable of edge lighting upon the principle of total interior reflection, as aforesaid, are also capable of transmittingv light, around bends; in a manner well known in the. art. Thus, light entering the upper end; of the rod- 61; will be: substantially completely transmitted to the lower end of said rod, regardless of whether or i not the" rodcontainsv one or more bendsintermediate its ends.

While, as indicated above; substantially all of the light entering the upper end of. the rod 61' emerges through the lower end of said rod with:

little transverse loss of light through the cylin.

drical surface of said rod, it is possible further to. minimize such loss of light by coating the cylindrical-surface of said rod 61 with an opaquem-aterial. In some instances it is preferred to employ as theopaque coating, material, a substance capable of reflecting light; as, for eX- ample, a mirror-coating of silver.

In order to indicate when the light bulb 66 is,v

on, a reflector jewel of colored facet-cut glass. 6.8. ismounted within the panel 2-1; the jewel 68. being directly above and in line with the. socket (M sc that it is illuminated by the bulbtii through: the upperopen end of said socket 64.

. During insertion of a'record through the slot 38 the beam of light from. the rod 6i is visible through the window 83, even when the spindle is covered by the lower portion of the rod. Thus, the user simply moves the record until its. center hole comes into line with the beam of light at which time it will automatically align with the spindle 6! and drop into playing position upon the turntable 31.

Generally speaking, the present invention contemplates the provision. of a turntable which is generally upright (as compared-2 tothe conventional. horizontal turntables heretofore em:- ployed) and. whichv is inclined, preferably at an angle greater than; degreesv and less 11181191)? degrees. Preferably, the turntable'of: the present invention is inclined at an angleoi about to;80 degrees from. the horizontal. and, most. preferably, at an angle of. about. '70 degreesiromthe. horizontal.

As indicated above, it has. been; found that the: provision; of a: generally. upright: turntable having a relatively. small inclination; fromv the vertical, along. with a similarly inclined playing-position. of the. tone-arm, results in better: reproduction and less wear; upon the: records; than is the case with conventional. horizontal turntables.

InFigure '7. there isshown another embodiment of the present invention which generally resembles that described hereinabove except for the. provision of. a. different-type automatic switch mechanism for the motor 38.

That, is, in the embodiment of. Figure 7, the mercury switches 5.0: and 5| are replaced by. a cam-and-microswitch mechanism tobe herein-- after described.

Ihus, the shaft 49 which rotates: with thetonearm 42 as. described above, is provided: with anam- 69 and a microswitch.- 10 is disposed, in operative juxtapositionto said'cam 69;

The microswitch 10is.ofgconventionalconstruction and includes a: fixed contact H and amovable contact 72 carried at, the free; end of springarm l3 which is. tensioned so as normally to retain theswitch in open position'andto maintainthe slidably-mounted plunger in extended posi-- tion.

The free end oftheplunger 1.4' is. in linewith: the; cam 69 and is so disposed that is willbe forced inward by the high-point 15 of. the cam.6 91 during rotation of said cam. so astomove the contact 12 against the contact H and thereby to. close the microswitch 10 (which. is connected. inthe power. circuit of the motor 38) to energize the motor.

The cam 69: and the microswitch 1 0 are so arranged: that, when" the tone-arm 42 and the op erating, handl 31' are in. the "rest position described. above, thehigh-pointfi of thecam will? be out of line with the plunger 14 so that the plunger will be in extended positionwherein theswitch is open.

When the-operating handle is moved-sufficiently to bring the tone-arm into position toplay either a 12-inch record or, a 10-inch record; the cam: SBJisrrctated. so as tomoveitshigh-point 'IBinto line. with theplunger 14130 as to force the plunger in'and close. the'switch' Hi5 and energize the motor. During movement. of the tone-arm; throughout the playing range of the. record, the high-point 7510i the cam 69 remains in.line with the plunger 74': so that the switch remains closed and the motor continues running. Whernhowever, the tone-arm reaches the "end-of-play position, the high-point 15 moves out of" line with the plunger 74 whereby the switch automatically opens to stop the motor 38.

When the operating handle 31 is manually" lifted and'moved toward the left for re-play, the switch 10 is momentarily closed and the motor 38= is momentarily re-started. However, when the operating handle reaches its rest" position during this manual return, the switch again'aut'o matically opens so that the motoris stopped and" does not re-start until the tone-arm is againmoved to position'tostart play ofa 10-inch or 12-inch record.

It is apparent, therefore, that the microswitch I automatically closes the circuit to the motor 38 whenever the tone-arm 42 is in the recordplaying range and automatically opens the cir cuit whenever the tone-arm is moved short of or beyond the record-playing range.

In Figure 9 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a record-storage compartment 16 is provided adjacent the rear wall of the case 20. The compartment I6 is provided with an upper hinged lid 11 which can be opened to permit insertion and removal of records.

Inasmuch as the case 20 is always carried and played in the upright position, it is apparent that the stored records will always be maintained upright so as to minimize the danger of breaking or falling out.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the present invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. In a portable record-player or the like, a generally upright housing having a supporting base-portion upon which the record-player is adapted to lie when in an operating position, a control panel formed adjacent the top of said housing, said panel having an elongated transverse slot formed therein, a rotatable turntable fully enclosed within said housing, said turntable being generally upright and being inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees to said supporting base-portion, and a movable tone-arm mounted within said housing in operative juxtaposition to said turntable, said elongated slot being disposed generally in alignment with said turntable whereby a disc-type record can be inserted through said slot and upon said turntable, said tone-arm being fully enclosed within said housing and being provided with an operating handle rigidly attached thereto and extending upward therefrom through said slot, for manual regulation of said tone-arm.

2. In a portable record-player Or the like, a generally upright housing having a supporting base-portion upon which the record-player is adapted to lie when in an operating position, a control panel formed adjacent the top of said housing, said panel having an elongated transverse slot formed therein, a rotatable turntable fully enclosed within said housing, said turntable being generally upright and being inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees to said supporting base-portion, and a movable tone-arm mounted within said housing in operative juxtaposition to said turntable, said elongated slot being disposed generally in alignment with said turntable whereby a disc-type record can be inserted through said slot and upon said turntable, said tone-arm being fully enclosed within said housing and being provided with an operating handle rigidly attached thereto and extending upward therefrom through said slot, for manual regulation of said tone-arm, said slot being provided with a shoulder against which said operating handle is adapted to be moved so 10 as to position said tone-arm in startof-play position.

3. In a portable record-player or the like, a generally upright housing having a supporting base-portion upon which therecord-player is adapted to lie when in an operating position, a control panel formed adjacent the top of said housingsaid panel having an elongated trans verse slot formed therein, a rotatable turntable fully enclosed within said housing, said turntable being generally upright and being inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees and less than, degrees to said supporting baseportion, andg movable tone-arm mounted within said housing in operative juxtaposition to said turntable, said elongated slot being disposed generally in alignment with said turntable whereby a disc'type record can be inserted through said slot and upon said turntable, said tone-arm being fully enclosed within said housing and being provided with an operating handle rigidly attached thereto and extending upward therefrom through said slot, for manual regulation of said tone-arm, said slot being provided with a plurality of spaced shoulders against which said operating handle can be moved so as to position said tone-arm in the start-of-play positions corresponding to different-size records.

4. In a portable record-player or the like, a generally upright housing having a supporting base-portion upon which the record-player is adapted to lie when in an operating position, a control panel formed adjacent the top of said housing, said panel having an elongated transverse slot formed therein, a rotatable turntable fully enclosed within said housing, said turntable being generally upright and being inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees to said supporting base-portion, a movable tone-arm mounted within said housing in operative juxtaposition to said turntable, said elongated slot being disposed generally in alignment with said turntable whereby a disc-type record can be inserted through said slot and upon said turntable, said operating panel being provided with a sight-opening, and a source of illumination mounted within the upper part of said housing and adapted to direct a beam of light upon said spindle, whereby said beam of light and said spindle can be observed through said sightopening to aid in insertion of records.

5. In a portable record-player or the like, a generally upright housing having a supporting base-portion upon which the record-player is adapted to lie when in an operating position, a control panel formed adjacent the top of said housing, said panel having an elongated transverse slot formed therein, a rotatable turntable fully enclosed within said housing, said turntable being generally upright and being inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees to said supporting base-portion, a movable tone-arm mounted within said housing in operative juxtaposition to said turntable, said elongated slot being disposed generally in alignment with said turntable whereby a disc-type record can be inserted through said slot and upon said turntable, said operating panel being provided with a sight-opening, and a source of illumination mounted within the upper part of said housing and adapted to direct a beam of light upon said spindle, whereby said beam of light and said spindle can be observed through said sight-opening to aid in insertion of records, said source of illumination including a generally enclosed electric lightvbulb and an-elong-ated rod of synthetic plastic material capable of transmitting light upon the principle oftotalinternalzreifiection, said rod-having-one of itsends disposed REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the vfile of this patent:

Number :12 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Clawson Feb. 23, 1915 Camfield "May '11, 1915 Krauss "Sept. 26, 1916 Ahearn May 18, 1920 Foley Mar. '18, 1924 Victor Oct. 17,1933 Jones 'et a1. Apr. 16, 1935 Freimann Oct. 6,1936 'Collaro et a1 'Nov.:30, 1937 Glaser Jan. 19,1943 

